Effect of severe plastic deformation on the structure and properties of the Zn–1%Li– 2%Mg alloy

Through the optimization of processing parameters, including pressure, temperature, and deformation degree, a high pressure torsion (HPT) regime was identified. This regime allows for the creation of a unique microstructure in the biodegradable Zn–1%Li–2%Mg alloy, which exhibits exceptional physical and mechanical properties. Following 10 revolutions of HPT treatment (resulting in an accumulated deformation degree, γ = 571) at the temperature of 150 °C and an applied pressure of 6 GPa, the Zn–1%Li–2%Mg alloy displayed notable mechanical characteristics, including a high yield strength (~385 MPa), ultimate tensile strength (~490 MPa), and ductility (44 %) during tensile tests. To elucidate the underlying reasons for these remarkable mechanical properties, an examination of the alloy’s microstructure was conducted employing electron microscopy and X-ray phase analysis (XPA). The study revealed the formation of a distinct microstructure characterized by alternating bands of the α-phase Zn, a mixture of Zn and ~LiZn₃ phases, as well as the α-phase Zn containing Mg₂Zn₁₁ particles, as a consequence of HPT treatment. Additionally, it was observed that HPT treatment induced a dynamic strain aging process, leading to the precipitation of Zn particles in the LiZn₃ phase and the precipitation of Mg₂Zn₁₁ and β-LiZn₄ particles in the Zn phase. These precipitated particles exhibited a nearly spherical shape. The application of the XPA method helped to confirm that the Zn phase becomes the predominant phase during HPT treatment, and microscopy data showed the formation of an ultra-fine grained (UFG) structure within this phase. A comprehensive analysis of the hardening mechanisms, based on the newly acquired microstructural insights, revealed that enhanced strength and ductility of the Zn–1%Li–2%Mg UFG alloy can be attributed primarily to the effects of dispersion, grain boundary, and heterodeformation-induced hardening, including dislocation strengthening.

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